Team PokerStars Pro - Raymond Rahme

Raymond Rahme

When most people consider retirement, they look forward to spending more time with the family, seeing friends and playing a little golf. Although Raymond Rahme does all these things, he could never have imaged he’d find fame and fortune after finishing work as a successful business owner. 

Raymond had played poker most of his life, choosing Seven Card Stud as his game of choice. Even as the popularity of Hold’em grew, he stuck with Stud; a poker variant many believe requires more skill than Hold’em. In 2005, Raymond finally decided to learn the game that was taking the world by storm and quickly discovered that it satisfied his competitive streak even more than Stud. He also realized he had a natural flair for the aggression needed to win.

Raymond began to find success in live tournaments and online at PokerStars. He made various final table appearances and cash finishes in events at the All African Poker Championship, eventually winning the chance to go to Las Vegas and play at the WSOP*, a trip that would change his life completely. When Raymond sat down at his table for the Main Event in July 2007, surrounded by the best players in the world, he was just another face among a sea of 6,357 others. Several long, hard days later, he found himself at the final table with a real shot at winning. He would eventually finish 3rd, an extraordinary achievement and one that was worth $3,048,025. It also marked the first time that a player from Africa had ever reached the final table of poker’s biggest event. In January 2008, Raymond also cashed at the Aussie Millions, finishing in 46th and earning $21,976. That was followed by a top 30 finish at the PokerStars.com European Poker Tour Season 4 Grand Final in April, good for another $67,124. In June, he returned to the All Africa Poker Championship and won, earning $125,000 for the victory.

Despite his recent success, Raymond claims that poker is nothing more than a hobby, but there can’t be many other hobbies out there that generate millions of dollars for those that take part. Away from poker, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Raymond might claim he plays poker just for fun, but his track record is deadly serious. Having achieved so much in such a short space of time, he’ll surely be making even more of an impact in years to come. Raymond Rahme is a member of Team PokerStars Pro and plays using the screen name ‘Ray Rahme’.

To find out more, visit www.rayrahme.com.

Career Highlights